ACAF open meeting: 23 February 2017

Last updated:

3 April 2017

The 72nd meeting of the Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs (ACAF), held in Aviation House, London on 23 February 2017, gave stakeholders an opportunity to observe the Committee at work and ask questions.

The following items were discussed:

Refuse Derived Fuels (RDF) – previously the Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA) had raised concerns about the potential risk of handling and storage of domestic waste material at ports, to be exported and used in energy generation. At the February meeting, the FSA assessor updated the committee on enquiries undertaken and suggested recommendations for consideration and agreement. A member of the Secretariat to the RDF Industry Group also updated the committee on the progress of the industry code of practice and advised that a final draft version would be available shortly and for endorsement by regulators and ACAF. The committee agreed to discuss further at the next ACAF meeting planned for June 2017.

A description of the UK (and Irish) fishmeal and fish oil industry with reference to production methods and global supplies - Toby Parker gave an overview presentation in which he provided details of production processes and benefits of fishmeal and fish oils; UK and Irish fishing ports, raw material intake and sales. The committee thanked Mr Parker for his interesting and educational presentation.

Feed Additives – following a previous presentation by Geoff Brown, committee members were asked for views on ways to communicate with feed industry sectors to emphasise the importance of compliance with maximum permitted levels set for trace elements in feed. Based on the responses received, it was clear that an industry guidance document was required. It was therefore proposed that a short, medium and long-term strategy should be adopted that would help to change behaviours in maintaining compliance, involving relevant industry bodies and local authorities.

Update on triennial review of Scientific Advisory Committees (SACs) reporting to the FSA - Dr Patrick Miller (Head of the Agency’s Chief Scientific Adviser’s Team) advised that the decision to exit the EU has implications for the FSA’s approach to the review, including the specific recommendations in respect of ACAF and the Advisory Committee on Novel Food and Processes. FSA’s future needs for expert advice in these areas will depend on the outcome of negotiations on the UK’s future relationship with the EU, and on the UK’s regulatory approach after exiting the EU. The FSA has therefore decided to pause implementation of these recommendations for now, until the picture on future needs is clearer.

After the close of the meeting, delegates were given the opportunity to ask questions of the committee.

The next ACAF meeting is scheduled to take place in Southgate House, Cardiff on 14 June 2017.